Original vs. Remake: I Am Legend

Introduction

• Theme: Art of remaking a film multiple times, focusing on four adaptations of Richard Matheson's 1954 book.
• Book's Plot: A man finds peace when humanity dies, chooses to die when he finds others.
• Film Adaptations:
  • The Last Man on Earth (1964)
  • The Omega Man (1971)
  • I Am Legend (2007)
  • I Am Omega (2007, by The Asylum)

Main Characters

1964: The Last Man on Earth

• Actor: Vincent Price
• Character: Robert, a scientist.
• Routine: Sleep, radio communication, staking, buying garlic, visiting wife's grave.
• Insanity: Preoccupied with thoughts, attacked by zombified vampires at night.

1971: The Omega Man

• Actor: Charlton Heston
• Character: Robert
• Routine: Driving, watching TV, arguing with himself.
• Insanity: Talks to dummies, attacked by men with white sores forming an anti-science cult.

2007: I Am Legend

• Actor: Will Smith
• Character: Robert
• Routine: Drives around with dog, hunting, working out, searching for cure, sleeping in a bathtub.
• Insanity: Talks to mannequins, attacked by CGI zombified vampires.

2007: I Am Omega

• Actor: Mark Dacascos
• Character: Renchard
• Routine: Watching old life videos, training, sticking, kicking wood.
• Insanity: Talks to dead people, mannequins, computers, hears voices on the radio.
• Defense: Uses a katana (though only once).

Comparisons

Actors and Performances

• Best Actor: Charlton Heston
  • Reason: Blends introspection, theatrics, and action; handles madness well.

Characters

• Charlton Heston's Interpretation: Enjoys solitude, frequents movies, cooks sausages in period clothing.
• Point Allocation: Charlton Heston due to enjoyment in solitude and character interactions.

Zombies

• CGI Dislike: CGI zombies in the 2007 version are not well-received.
• Favorite Zombies: 1964 Realistic zombies inspired Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.
• Aesthetic: 1971 version's anti-science cult and sensitive skin aesthetic.
• Points: 1964 gets a point, 1971 gets a point, Asylum version gets a point.

Apocalyptic Backstory

• 1964: Virus causing deaths and zombification.
• 1971: Virus causing death or skin rot, no family for Robert.
• 2007: Virus created by Emma Thompson, disastrous helicopter crash, heroic death.
• Asylum: No explicit explanation, multiple people, family eaten by creatures.
• Best Backstory: 1964 for an impactful story.

Emotional High Points

• Will Smith's Tragedy: Death and zombification of dog, earns a point.

Female Characters

• Charlton Heston: Forms a significant emotional and physical connection, first interracial kiss.
• Points: 1971 film for pushing social boundaries.

Ending and Monologues

• Vincent Price: Beautiful monologue before death.
• Points: 1964 version for the compelling final monologue.

Film's Message

• 1964 Version: Captures the essence of being the last man on Earth and the moral implications.
• Point for Final Shot: 1971 version ends with a significant shot of Charlton dead in water.

Winning Version

• Overall Winner: The Omega Man (1971)
  • Unique Point: Parodied on The Simpsons.

Conclusion

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